Freedom
What an awesome word!
What good news to those who are in prison.
- Imagine how Nelson Mandela felt when he was released from prison after 27 years.
- Imagine how hostages feel when they are released and out of harm’s way.
- Imagine how the prisoners of Auschwitz felt on their day of release – if you can.
But many people are in prisons with invisible bars.
- Prisons of fear, hatred, bitterness, rejection, abuse, anxiety, isolation, legalism, pride, greed, lust, adultery, alcoholism, drugs…
The Prison of Sin
There is a prison of sin that all of us have been in, and may still be in. Sin is essentially rejection of God’s law of love. It is characterized by a misplaced love of, and even trust in, the world. (Read 1 John 2:15-17)
There is only one way out of these prisons of sin – and God has given us the key.
“If the law could give us new life, we would be made right with God by obeying it. But, the scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:22 NLT
Jesus is the key to our freedom!
Freedom to love and live more generously and joyously and to become the fullest expression of the person that God has created you to be.
Freedom to choose what is pleasing to God and which brings him glory.
Freedom that refines and shines even in suffering, so that absolutely nothing of our lives is wasted.
What is Truth and What is a Lie?
From the world’s perspective, true freedom is being able to do whatever a person desires to do. But this path only ends in eventual destruction and imprisonment. In contrast, Jesus offers to lead us on a pathway of true freedom because he always speaks the truth. So whenever you accept what he offers, you are finding liberty!
“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free…So, if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” John 8:32,36
